Stimulation/sensing lead adapted for percutaneous insertion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a percutaneous insertion-capable lead, wherein insertion made through a percutaneous insertion structure. For one embodiment of such lead, the electrode-supporting stimulation portion of the lead includes at least one waisted region, relative to a transverse dimension of the lead, to facilitate lead steerability.

1 . A percutaneous insertion-capable lead having a plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductors, such lead being adapted to pass through a percutaneous introduction structure for insertion into a human body, the lead further comprising: 
 a body defining a paddle structure that is substantially defined by two principal opposing planar surfaces; and    a plurality of electrodes,    wherein one of the two planar surfaces incorporates the plurality of electrodes, and a conductor of the plurality of conductors electrically couples one terminal of the plurality of terminals with at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes, and    wherein a greatest transverse dimension of the body of the lead is less than a corresponding interior dimension of the percutaneous introduction structure.    
     
     
         2 . A lead in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a channel extending from a proximal end of the lead to a position within the body of the lead, wherein the channel is adapted to receive a stylet.  
     
     
         3 . A lead in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the body of the lead has a varying cross-sectional moment of inertia.  
     
     
         4 . A percutaneous insertion-capable lead having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, such lead being adapted to pass through a percutaneous introduction structure for insertion into a human body, the lead further comprising: 
 a plurality of terminals positioned at the proximal end portion;    a paddle-shaped body positioned at the distal end portion, wherein the body of the lead includes two principal opposing substantially planar surfaces;    a plurality of electrodes, which are carried on one of the two principal surfaces of the body of the lead; and    a plurality of conductors, wherein a conductor of the plurality of conductors electrically couples one terminal of the plurality of terminals with at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes, and    wherein the body of the lead has a varying transverse dimension that enables flexibility in a plane substantially parallel to the principal surfaces of the body of the lead.    
     
     
         5 . A lead in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising a channel extending from the proximal end portion to a position within the body of the lead, wherein the channel is adapted to receive a stylet.  
     
     
         6 . A percutaneous insertion-capable lead having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, such lead being adapted to pass through a percutaneous insertion structure for insertion into a human, the lead further comprising: 
 a plurality of terminals positioned at the proximal end portion;    a paddle-shaped body positioned at the distal end portion, wherein the body includes two principal opposing substantially planar surfaces and at least one waisted region;    a plurality of electrodes, which are carried on one of the two principal surfaces of the body; and    a plurality of conductors, wherein a conductor of the plurality of conductors electrically couples one terminal of the plurality of terminals with at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes.    
     
     
         7 . A lead in accordance in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one waisted region is formed by a narrowing of the body in a transverse direction.  
     
     
         8 . A lead in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising a channel extending from the proximal end portion of the lead to a position within the body, wherein the channel is adapted to receive a stylet.